Dhlakama moved last week from the northern city of Nampula to Gorongosa, and is living near the former Renamo military headquarters of Casa Banana. He claims to have several hundred Renamo demobilised soldiers with him, and says he will not leave until the government has met his demands.
These include putting former Renamo fighters into the armed forces and other state institutions, and rewriting the electoral legislation to Renamo’s liking.
The spokesperson for the Commission of the Forum of the Demobilised, Adolfo Beira, cited in Monday’s issue of the independent newsheet “Mediafax” described Dhlakama’s move as “courageous and necessary”, and echoed Dhlakama’s own claim that he was acting under pressure from the demobilised troops.
“Dhlakama is not to blame”, said Beira. “He felt himself under pressure and even under threat, so he had to advance to Gorongosa, and we are in permanent contact with him as regards future steps”.
Yet according to the reporters, including from “Mediafax”, who visited Dhlakama’s new home last week, it has no electricity and no phones. It is not covered by any of the country’s mobile phone networks. So it is rather difficult to see how Adolfo Beira can maintain “permanent contact” with Dhlakama.
Beira added that the Forum sent two men to join Dhlakama in Gorongosa last Thursday “to show our solidarity and readiness for any step that should be taken in the near future”.
Beira claims that the government abandoned the demobilised soldiers (although in reality the demobilization package offered was exceptionally generous – including 24 months demobilisation pay, and transport to wherever they wanted to go in the country).
“Just like Afonso Dhlakama, we have been deceived every day by the Frelimo government for the past 20 years”, said Beira. “Now is the time to unite our forces against a common enemy”.
Beira hoped that Dhlakama will not back down from his threatened nationwide demonstrations and “revolution” to bring down the government.
But there are a large number of organisations of demobilised soldiers, and it is not clear how many people Adolfo Beira can credibly claim to represent.
The government has not reacted to Dhlakama’s move to Gorongosa. Police units are nearby, in the event of any threat to public order, but so far Dhlakama has restricted his activities to belligerent speeches.
Renamo national spokesperson Fernando Mazanga confirmed to “Mediafax” that nobody from the government has contacted Dhlakama since his move to Gorongosa.
If Dhlakama expected the government to send envoys to negotiate with him in the bush, he was seriously mistaken. He must soon face the harsh reality of ensuring supplies of food and water for the 800 former fighters who are with him. The longer this force stays in Gorongosa, the more difficult the logistics will become.
Post published in: Africa News